Original subtitles

To make a will like that, coupling her name with this man Ladislaw,

what a damned insult to Dorothea!

He has made a codicil to his will,

to say the property is all to go away from you

if you marry Mr Ladislaw.

Then you approve of my going away for years and never coming back

again until I have made my mark in the world?

200 - how's that for a bargain? Hm?

Give me 200 and I'll go away.

I'll pick up my portmanteau at the turnpike, and then...

..off like a bullet!

GUNSHOT

Tertius...

Oh, don't be angry with me!

SHE SOBS

Tertius, are you?

Are you angry with me?

Afternoon, sir.

Good afternoon, Mr Farebrother! Hello, Fred!

Welcome to Lowick.

Have you come to see my new home?

I've come to ask a favour of you.

I'm ashamed to ask, but there's no-one else I can consult.

I'm glad to be of service.

Forgive me while I try and get some order out of this chaos!

Henry, will you hurry with this rug?

It does seem uncommonly hard on my father, and I feel like

an ungrateful dog, but I...

I can't bear the thought of going into the Church.

I just don't divinity and preaching, and...

..feeling obliged to look serious all the time!

Like me, you mean?

I used to wish I'd been anything rather than a clergyman.

But I'm not cut out for it - I like riding across country

and doing what other men do!

Then there's another hindrance.

There's someone I'm very fond of.

I've loved her ever since we were children.

HE SIGHS

Miss Garth, I suppose?

Yes. I shouldn't mind anything if she would have me.

Do you think she returns your feelings?

She will never say so, but I do think she cares about me.

What I wanted to ask you...

Would you talk to her?

About me?

You see, she is against my being a clergyman.

And I don't know what to do unless I can get at her feeling.

I would like to learn farming, but that takes capital

and Father can't spare any more.

And he says that there's no more room for me in his trade.

But if only she'd give me some encouragement,

I'd find some other occupation to make me worthy of her -

I know I would! Why are you asking me, Fred?

Surely, you should talk to her yourself.

No, she made me promise not to speak about it again.

But she might listen to what you have to say.

She thinks so highly of you.

You're very confident that I shall plead your case for you.

You must feel it to be a very deserving one.

Oh, it isn't that, Mr Farebrother. It's...

It's just that I don't know how I could live

without the hope of her.

It would be like learning to live with wooden legs.

Please.

Speak to her for me.

STREET NOISE AND CHATTER

In here, sir.

These are difficult times, Dr Lydgate.

I know what good work you do in Middlemarch.

I wish there were more who shared your high opinion.

Middlemarch men are slow to change.

You have to be patient.

I know you've had considerable expenses.

Yes, purchasing the practice, and the house, of course, but...

..the two outstanding debts at present are to yourself

for the silver plate, the cutlery and the jewellery,

and to Harker for the furniture.

I must tell you plainly, Mr Spooner,

I have not the wherewithal at present to pay either of you.

I appreciate your frankness, Dr Lydgate.

And Mr Harker's asking for immediate payment?

Yes... Yes, he is.

I understand he has creditors of his own.

You're not inclined to seek help from Mr Bulstrode to pay your bill?

No, no.

I, er...

No, in view of, erm.... Public business, quite.

Above suspicion - very right and proper.

Well...

You have the bill of sale for the furniture?

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Yes...

I'll take this over, Dr Lydgate.

Along with what you already owe this establishment, that would make

£527 altogether, at 5%. Is that agreeable?

I appreciate your understanding.

A young professional man, establishing himself.

And the security is good.

My valuer, Mr Manley, will need to visit the house

to take an inventory.

An inventory?

I shouldn't have thought that would be necessary.

Can't you go by the original bill of sale?

I've found from long experience, Dr Lydgate, it's better to do

these things in the proper way.

It avoids misunderstandings.

You'll find my men will be very tactful.

Mrs Lydgate will hardly know they're there, sir.

I cannot say for certain I'll EVER be his wife.

Certainly I will never be his wife if he becomes a clergyman.

How could I love a man who takes up a profession he doesn't care about

only because it's considered "a gentleman's calling"?

He would be ridiculous!

Do you think I am too hard on him?

Well, he did ask me to report exactly what you think.

But tell me, if he braved all the difficulties of getting

his bread in some other way,

would you then give him the support of hope?

Might he then count on winning you?

I don't think he should put such questions until he has done

something worthy, instead of talking about it and boasting

what he could do if he tried!

SHE SIGHS

Pardon me, Mary...

I think you might say more.

Can he count on your remaining single until

he has earned your hand, or not?

To put it another way...

..is it possible you might consider

bestowing your affections...

..on...

..another man?

When a woman's feelings touch the happiness

of more lives than one...

..it is kinder...

It is kinder to ALL...

..to be perfectly...

..direct and open.

Since you think it's my duty, Mr Farebrother...

..I must tell you.

I do have so strong a feeling for Fred...

..that I could never give him up for anyone else.

I could never be happy...

..if I thought he was unhappy for the loss of me.

And, more than anything...

..I long for him to do something

that will make him worthy of everyone's respect.

Thank you, Mary.

Now I've fulfilled my commission.

HE SIGHS

With this prospect before him, we shall get Fred

into the right niche somehow.

HE LAUGHS

I hope I shall live long enough to join your hands in marriage.

Oh...

Please stay!

Let me give you some tea.

No, my dear.

I must be getting back.

MUSIC: Leichte Sonate by Beethoven

SHE STOPS PLAYING

Come.

Come and sit by me.

Rosy...

..I'm afraid this will hurt you,

but there are things we must face together.

Ever since our marriage,

our expenses have exceeded our income

and I've been forced to borrow against the security of

our furniture and plate.

I still hope this will be a temporary expedient -

after all, we are owed almost as much as we owe other - but, well...

..these things must be done in what Middlemarch calls "the proper way".

And tomorrow some men are coming to make an inventory

of the furniture.

It's only as security - they won't take anything away.

Just to make a list of what we are offering as, well, security.

Have you asked Papa for money?

No, of course not.

Then I shall.

No, Rosy, I don't wish you to do that.

In any case, it's too late.

No, you can send the men away tomorrow when they come.

That isn't possible,

and I must insist your father isn't told unless I choose to tell him.

Maybe your uncle Godwin would help.

If we were to visit him...

We're not wanted at my uncle's, Rosy.

You don't know everything, Tertius!

Captain Lydgate said Sir Godwin had the highest opinion of

his nephew's talents and that "Mrs Lydgate was the most

beautiful woman that ever graced the table there!

Those were the words of a coxcomb trying to turn your head

with flattery.

Understand me when I tell you that it is useless to appeal to

my family for help!

Then why do you tell me at all?

What do you want from me?

What can I do?!

Try not to grieve. We...

We shall weather it.

We must, somehow, change our way of living.

I have been a thoughtless rascal.

But you are so clever that if you turn your mind to managing,

you'll soon school me into carefulness.

Can we not leave Middlemarch,

and go to London, Tertius, or Bath,

or to Durham, where your family is known?

We can go nowhere without money, Rosamond.

Come.

Look...

This is Spooner's account.

He tells me he'll take a good deal of the plate back again,

and any of the jewellery we like.

He's being very good about it.

Are we to go without knives and forks, then?

No, of course not.

See...

..I have marked a number of things here that we rarely use.

I have not marked any of the jewellery. No.

It's useless for me to look.

You must return what you please.

DOOR CLOSES

Here is all the jewellery you ever gave me.

You can return what you like of it.

And any of the plate as well.

Please don't expect me to stay at home tomorrow.

I shall go to Papa's.

And when will you come back?

Oh, in the evening. You needn't worry -

I shan't mention the subject to Mama.

Rosy!

Now we're married, you shouldn't leave me by myself

in the first trouble that has come to us.

I shall do everything it becomes me to do.

It is surely better to manage the thing ourselves

and let the servants see as little of it as possible.

Very well.

I will stay at home.

Thank you.

I shan't touch your jewels!

I shall write out a list of plate that we can return.

We shall not miss that. Oh, there's no ink!

Here, Tertius, let me get it for you.

Oh, Rosy, come!

Let us make the best of things. It will only be for a time.

Kiss me?

MRS CADWALLADER: Ah, Dorothea! Just in time.

You see, Mrs Cadwallader, I am not yet run into madness or melancholy!

I see, my dear, very well, and with very great pleasure!

Dear, do take off that cap. I'm sure it makes you feel ill.

Not at all. I'm used to it now.

I feel rather exposed when it's off.

I must see you without it.

It makes us all warm!

There! SIR JAMES: Ah, Much better!

No need to make a slavery of mourning, not amongst your friends.

My dear, a widow must wear her mourning for at least a year!

Well, not if she marries again before the end of it!

Well, that is very rare, I hope!

No friend of ours ever committed herself in that way -

except Mrs Beevor.

And severely she was punished for it!

They say Captain Beevor dragged her about by the hair

and held up loaded pistols at her!

Oh, but if she took the wrong man!

Any marriage is wrong then, first or second.

But if she can marry blood, beauty and bravery...

..the sooner the better!

I think the subject of this conversation is very ill-chosen.

Suppose we change it?

Well, not on my account.

I have quite other thoughts about my life.

I shall never marry again.

You see, I have been thinking

about what to do at Lowick.

I am going to build a kind of colony there, where everybody shall live

and everybody shall work, and the work shall be done well.

I want to know every one of the people, and be their friend.

I will have consultations with Mr Garth - he will tell me what is

possible and how to go about it.

Well!

Oh, Dodo!

Well, then, you'll be happy, if you have plans again.

BABY GURGLES

CELIA: And so will little Arthur!

Thank you!

Arthur says when he grows up he will have great plans,

and consult with Mr Garth about them every day, won't you, baby?

ARTHUR GURGLES

I feel as if I have been losing control of my life, Farebrother.

I neglect my private practice for the new hospital.

Bills mount up.

I seem to have lost some...

..intellectual edge I once had.

Oh, come!

Your work on cholera is widely admired!

Any fool could have done that.

It's simply a matter of public education and better cleanliness!

I wanted to do something fundamental,

discover what primal unit of life it is...

Oh, God!

I can't even manage my own household budget, it seems.

Well, there you have a lovely wife,

to share the burden with you!

Yes, she's lovely, isn't she?

My wife is, after all, a lovely woman.

Mm.

I must be going.

I have kept you up too late.

Lydgate...

..you were a great help to me not so long ago.

But your help with the curacy at Lowick has enabled me

to change the course of my life,

and for the better.

I don't wish to embarrass you,

but is there any way that I can help you now?

Not unless you were very rich.

No, I have dug myself in, but I shall dig myself out.

Ah, forgive me, Farebrother.

I'm not usually such a bear.

It's only money, after all.

I'd site the cottages on higher ground than you have them here.

That's marshy ground down in that hollow.

Drain it as many times as you like, you'd never get rid of the damp.

It'll have to be levelled.

It seems likely you'll lose some land to the railway.

There's a great deal of fear and doubt about it amongst the farmers.

But I see it as an opportunity.

The compensation will help finance your colony.

Good!

And do you think we might build a cottage industry here at Lowick?

I thought perhaps a pottery. Aye, why not?

The clay's good hereabouts,

and people will always be wanting crocks.

I'll go back and make up new working drawings

and cost the whole thing up directly.

Excellent. Excellent good work to do!

Just the sort of meat I like to get my teeth into!

You've made me very happy today.

It will involve great expense.

Oh, I don't mind about that, Mr Garth!

PIANO PLAYS: Sonatina in C Major by Clementi

MUSIC STOPS

We are like two prisoners, aren't we?

Are we?

I think so.

I am a prisoner of poverty,

we are both prisoners of gossip,

and you are a prisoner of love...

..I believe. Oh?

Tertius wondered why you stayed on so long in Middlemarch

after saying you were leaving.

I said, "I think I know."

There is a powerful magnet in this neighbourhood. To be sure!

No-one knows that better than you! SHE LAUGHS

I speak of Mrs Casaubon.

What a romance it would make!

A jealous old husband laying a plan to spoil

his young wife's happiness,

and making a will in which she would forfeit her property

if she marries his young cousin!

And then I'm sure the end will be thoroughly romantic!

Where did you hear this?

From my brother Fred.

I thought everyone in the county had heard of it.

You mean you didn't know of it yourself?

No, I did not.

Great God!

I dare say she will like you better than the property.

When shall we hear of the marriage?

Never!

You will never hear of it!

It's an outrage that that young adventurer Ladislaw

is still walking about Middlemarch, proud as a peacock

as if he had every right to.

Well, I suppose he has, Sir James.

I know it's a disgrace to be a foreigner,

but unfortunately it's not yet a crime.

Come, come, it is no joking matter, Mrs Cadwallader.

I suppose the whole county knows by now about

the terms of Casaubon's will.

By remaining here, he makes Dorothea a subject of gossip

and speculation.

Yes, you're quite right.

And from what I hear, he's done little for young Mrs Lydgate's

reputation either.

I'd be wondering how he could broach the matter to Dorothea without...

Well, without...

It is damnably difficult, forgive me.

Enough. I understand.

You shall be innocent.

I don't mean that it's of any consequence, only...

Only it's desirable Dorothea should know that there are reasons why

she should not receive him again.

And I really can't say so to her.

It will come lightly from you.

Trust me, Sir James. Trust me.

Oh, I hear you're going to Tipton, my dear.

May I come with you?

Young Mr Ladislaw, as I understand it,

has still not gone from Middlemarch.

That report was a false one.

He prefers, apparently, to spend his day warbling

with your Dr Lydgate's wife.

Or lying on her rug, some say.

But people from manufacturing towns were always disreputable.

Mrs Cadwallader, you began by saying that one report was false -

why should this one not be false as well?

I shall not hear evil spoken of Mr Ladislaw.

He has suffered too much injustice already.

Well, heaven grant it, my dear.

I mean that all bad tales may be false.

But it is a pity that young Lydgate married one of

the Middlemarch girls.

I mean, wasn't he the son of somebody?

Ah, well...

One cannot be wise for other people.

Ooh!

A chill breeze.

I do not know why we English stubbornly persevere

with open carriages.

I know you don't want to believe me, Dorothea,

but it would be scandalous if you received a man

who conducts himself...

POST-HORN BLOWS

Mr Bambridge!

I'm needing a first-rate gig-horse.

I don't suppose you know of one that would fit the bill?

Ah, that I do, Mr Hawley!

A nice little grey over at...

GET OUT! I am getting out!

Don't distress yourself, dear ladies.

I know when I am not wanted. I have friends!

Take care with that portmanteau, you ruffians!

Give us some money! Get off!

Go on, give us some money!

BAMBRIDGE: Get off out of it! Off with you, go on!

Oh, thank you. Thank you kindly.

You find John Raffles at a temporary low ebb in his fortunes.

I have to visit a dear friend - old Nick Bulstrode of Stone Court.

Mr Bulstrode?

Ah! A friend of yours, sir?

Oh, Nick is a dear friend!

I'm going that way, sir.

I can take you. Nick will pay!

Oh, he's paid before, and he'll pay again! This way.

Oh, loves to see me.

Loves to pay!

You're a saint and a Christian, sir!

Say no more, sir. You're very welcome.

Such a pity that your uncle had to run away to France

and shut up the Grange.

Such a relief that he's coming home.

Will you come in, Mrs Cadwallader?

No, my dear, I shall just take a walk through the garden.

Good afternoon, Mrs Kell.

Uncle's asked me to sort a few things out for him.

But won't Mrs Casaubon... I shan't be long.

Mr Ladislaw is here!

Well, thank you, Mrs Kell.

I wrote to you today.

I am going away immediately.

I could not go without speaking to you again.

I thought we had parted when you came to Lowick many weeks ago.

Yes. But when we spoke before I was dreaming I might come back some day.

I don't...think I ever will now.

I wanted to say...

..that I have only lately heard the terms of Mr Casaubon's will.

They insult me grossly,

both in your eyes and in the eyes of others.

I wanted to say that under no circumstances...

..would I give men the chance of saying I sought money...

..under the pretext of seeking something else.

There was no need of any safeguard against me.

Your wealth is safeguard enough!

I'm sure no safeguard was ever needed against you.

I must go.

What will you do?

Oh, I shall work away at the first thing that offers.

I suppose one gets a habit of doing without happiness or hope.

Oh, what sad words!

There are things a man can only go through once in his life.

This experience has happened to me while I'm still very young,

that's all.

What I care for more than I can ever care...

..for anything else...

..is absolutely forbidden me.

I have never done you any injustice.

Please remember me.

How can you say that?

As if I were not in danger of forgetting everything else!

HE SLURS: I think must have caught a chill on the road,

somewhere around Stoney Stanton.

It's a cold, damp place...

..is Stoney Stanton.

Oh, warming up now.

Oh, warming up.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Ah! Nicky's a good boy...

You can say what you like.

Are you there, Nicky?

Oh, beggar me, I'm talking to myself.

I don't understand it, Nicholas.

Surely he has no further claim on us?

He is one of God's creatures, Harriet. That is his claim.

"If thou doest it for the least of my brethren, thou doest it for me."

But, Nicholas... I know, my dear - he is repulsive, degraded.

But you need not see or speak to him.

Mrs Abel will tend to his needs,

and I shall send him away at first light tomorrow in my own carriage.

You are very good, Nicholas.

I knew him in other days before he had sunk so deep... Nick!

Nicky, ol' man?

Oh, come and keep me company.

HE MUTTERS INCOHERENTLY

SNORING

HE MOANS

Wake up!

Wake up, sir!

HE GROANS

You be silent, sir, and hear what I have to say.

My carriage will be here in ten minutes at seven o'clock,

and I shall conduct you as far as Ilsley myself.

I will furnish you a reasonable sum,

but if you present yourself here again, if you return to Middlemarch,

if you use your tongue against me, you will have to live on such

fruits as your malice can bring. Oh...

I know the worst you can do against me, and I shall brave it

if you dare to thrust yourself on me again.

Now get up, sir, and do as I order you.

Or I shall send for the constable to take you off my premises!

HE GRUNTS

But he will return!

If death doesn't take him first.

Why do You allow him to torment me so?!

A bit more to the left, there.

No more!

Right, let's take the next 50.

Off you go.

To your left a bit.

Them railwaymen are taking the same measurements, Mr Garth.

That's right, Tom.

BABBLE OF VOICES

We're at the same work today.

We'll be with 'em by and by.

MAN: Damn those railwaymen. The country's overrun with them!

They'll be cutting the land into sixes and sevens!

Go and cut up land in another parish!

Come on, let's get 'em, lads! ALL: Away with ye! Come on!

Mr Garth, look.

Go and see what's happening, Tom.

SHOUTING: Come back here, you!

What are you doing?!

Aye, that's it!

Tom...

Tom?

What are you playing at, you damn fools?!

You come down 'ere!

I'll teach you a lesson! You get down off that 'orse!

Don't be a damn fool, man!

You're a coward, you are!

I'll see you hanged or transported, every last one of you,

if you've killed that boy!

We were only a'ter a bit o' fun, weren't we, lads?

Aye.

Only a bit of fun!

How is he, Mr Garth?

He's just coming round.

He can have my horse and go on up to Yoddrell's Farm.

They'll take care of him.

I'd best go and speak with them.

Why, now, lads!

How's this, then?

Someone's been telling you lies!

The railroad does no harm.

Does no harm?

They make cows cast their calves!

And carve a great slice through a poor man's land,

and the law says nothing to it.

Nonsense! Railway's a good thing.

Good for big folk to make money out on! Aye!

What about the poor man, Mr Garth?

If times are hard, it's not the railway makes them,

so those men are on this land legally.

And if you meddle with them, it'll only mean the constable,

and the handcuffs, and Middlemarch jail.

So what's it to be, lads?

Live and let live?

Live and let live!

No need to stir up trouble.

I seen lots o' new things come up since I were a young'un.

The war, the peace, the canals -

it's all alike to the poor man.

Big folks makes money,

and the poor man gets pushed aside! Aye. That's true.

But then you're for the big folks, Mr Garth.

We're all sorry about the lad, like. Aye.

Didn't mean him no harm.

You'll tell him that?

I will, Timothy.

All right, then.

Up you get. There you go.

You feeling better now, Tom?

I'm all right, Mr Garth. Good lad.

Well...

That's my day's work gone!

Oh, I could help you, Mr Garth.

Aye, Fred.

You could!

Do you think I'm too old to learn your business?

Do you think I might be any good in it?

I thought you were for the Church, Fred.

I don't want to go into the Church, Mr Garth.

And Mary won't have me if I do.

Ah. And I know a bit about land and cattle.

And you know I used to wish for land of my own, well,

to learn to manage land for others would be the next best thing.

What have you said to your father about this?

Nothing yet. I don't like to disappoint him.

But how could I know when I was 15 what would be right for me to do?

My education was a mistake.

I know I have no claim on you, Mr Garth.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

No, Fred. You have a claim.

The young'uns always have a claim on the old to help 'em forward.

Come to my office tomorrow at nine, and we'll talk about it.

Nine sharp, mind.

Thank you, Mr Garth!

Thank you with all my heart.

Right. Let's get this work done!

You have thrown away your education and gone down a step in life,

when I'd hoped to see you rise!

I have no more to say. I wash my hands of you.

I only hope, when you've a son of your own, he'll make you

a better return for all the pains you spend on him!

I'm sorry that we differ, Father.

I hope you won't object to my remaining at home.

I shall be able to pay for my board now, and I would wish to, of course.

Well, of course - your mother would want you to stay!

And board? Be hanged! You're still my boy, Fred!

Let's hear no more of that nonsense.

I shall keep no horse for you, you understand?

And you can pay for your own tailor!

You'll do with a suit or two less,

I fancy, when you have to pay for 'em!

Will you shake hands with me, Father?

Oh...

Yes.

Yes, yes!

Say no more about it.

MR GARTH: It's...come about as I thought, Susan.

The children are fond of each other.

Fred and Mary, I mean.

I believe they love each other, Susan.

I think she'll be the making of him.

Fred has asked me to teach him farm management and surveying,

and the whole business.

Caleb!

Our Mary could have had a man worth 20 Fred Vincys,

Mr Farebrother!

Of course, now that Fred has used him as an envoy,

there is an end to that!

Well...

..that would have made me very proud and happy.

But you took me, though I was a plain man.

The lad is good at bottom, Susan.

And he loves and honours our Mary beyond anything.

It would break him to lose her.

He has put his soul in my hands,

and I must do my best for him, so help me, God.

It's my duty, Susan.

Bless you, Caleb.

Our children have a good father.

MRS VINCY: The best natured - he's the most handsome young man

in Middlemarch, to want to marry such a plain, low little thing,

and to give up the Church to be an estate manager!

Very lowering, Vincy!

I'm quite cut up about it! Well, that's children.

They're bound to be trouble. And Rosy's as bad!

Husband up to the necks in debt!

Well, they'll get no money from me because I've got none.

The bank owns me, lock, stock and barrel, so that's that!

Don't look dull, Lucy.

Don't make it worse by letting me see you out of spirits.

I'll drive you to Riverston tomorrow.

I think we shall have to move house, Rosy.

As a temporary expedient.

We must clear the debt on the furniture within a few months.

I think I see one way out.

Ned Plymdale is going to be married to Miss Sophy Toller.

Oh...

I'm sure they'd be glad to take this place with

most of the furniture.

They'd pay handsomely for the lease.

I was thinking of asking Trumbull to negotiate for us.

I am sorry.

And I know it's painful, but we have to do something!

I could never have believed that you would like to act

in this way!

Like it? Of course I don't like it!

It's the only thing I can do!

PLEASE can we sell up and leave Middlemarch altogether?

To do what?

What's the use of leaving my work here in Middlemarch

to go where I have none?

We should be just as penniless elsewhere as we are here!

If we are to be penniless it will be your fault, Tertius!

Why couldn't you show a proper regard for your family?

Sir Godwin was very kind to me when we were in Quallingham.

And I'm sure that if you showed a proper regard for him,

he would do ANYTHING for you!

But instead you like giving up our house and furniture

to Mr Ned Plymdale!

Well, if you'll have it so, I DO like it.

I like it better than making a fool of myself by begging

where it's no use!

Understand, then...

SHE SCREAMS

..that it is what I like to do!

Oh, Rosy, Rosy!

(Rosamund?)

Rosamund...

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

Oh, we MUST love one another, we must love one another!

If we don't, we have nothing. Tertius!

Oh, Rosy...

To be without you... I couldn't bear it!

Tertius, you're still dressed! Oh, Rosy!

Oh, hold me...!

DOOR OPENS

Mrs Garth.

Mr Garth will be down

in a moment. >

Thank you, Fred.

I am just reading this letter from Alfred.

How is Alfred? He's just won a prize as best apprentice in his year!

He puts me to shame.

Yes, Fred. I'm afraid he does.

I know you think I'm very undeserving.

But as long as my friends have not given me up, >

I'm not going to give myself up.

And I have another encouragement that means more to me than anything.

That I might win Mary, I mean.

I expect Mr Garth told you?

I don't expect you were surprised. >

Not surprised that Mary encouraged you? Yes, I confess I was surprised.

I mean, not surprised I love Mary.

She never gave me any encouragement when I spoke to her myself,

but when Mr Farebrother spoke for me, she told him there was hope.

You made a mistake in asking Mr Farebrother to speak for you.

Did I?

How? I don't understand!

< Yes!

The young are blind to all but their own wishes!

You mean... >

..Mr Farebrother is in love with Mary?!

If it were so, Fred, I think you are the last person who ought to be astonished!

Is Mary here now, Mrs Garth?

Yes. She's in the orchard, Fred.

< I believe she is talking to Mr Farebrother.

INAUDIBLE

THEY LAUGH

GALES OF LAUGHTER

Fred! Is Mr Garth returned?

Yes, he's in his office. Good.

Bear with me - I must have a word with him.

What a comical expression, Fred! >

What ARE you thinking? < It's no use. You'll marry him!

< He beats me in every way!

You're very ungrateful!

He spoke up for you. >

I AM grateful,

but I just know he'll bowl me out!

Oh, Fred!

What a fool you are.

Couldn't you see he left us together on purpose?

Oh.

And now you've wasted your chance.

And serves you right!

THEY GOSSIP

MRS PLYMDALE:

Oh, yes, thank you,

Ned is VERY happy!

And WE are very happy for him.

Sophy Toller is all I could desire in a daughter-in-law.

A nice girl. No airs or pretensions.

She is very agreeable. There's every prospect of their being happy.

Do you know which house they will take?

They must take what they can get. They have seen a house...

< It is in St Peter's Place, near the church - it is a genteel situation.

But the windows are very narrow.

YOU don't happen to know any house that might be free now, or in the near future?

Me...?

Oh...no. I'm sorry. I hear so little of these things.

PIANO PLAYS: "A Song Without Words" by Mendelssohn

HE HUMS TO THE MUSIC

SHE STOPS PLAYING

You're a good girl, Rosy.

What are all those papers, Tertius?

I suddenly got the notion I might be able to do something experimental.

I set it aside, as I couldn't see how to go on with it,

but now, well...there may be some powers of ratiocination left in my head after all!

By the way, I forgot to tell you: Ned Plymdale has already taken a house,

in St Peter's Place.

I met his mother, and she told me.

Oh, damn!

Well, perhaps someone else may turn up.

Trumbull will be on the look-out.

How much do these disagreeable people want so they will not trouble us any more?

More than I am likely to get anywhere. Tertius?!

At least a thousand.

But I must consider what I shall do

without it, not with it.

I shall ask Trumbull to advertise in The Pioneer and The Trumpet.

Tertius...?

What?

I went to see Trumbull today, and I ordered him not to enquire further.

May I ask why?

Ned Plymdale had already taken a house.

I knew it would be very injurious to your position

if it was known that you wished to part with your house.

And I had a very strong objection to it.

I should have thought that that was reason enough!

You had "reason enough"...

..to contradict my orders secretly and treat me like a fool?!

Can you possibly understand the consequences?!

Is it any use to tell you again why we must part with the house?

No, it is not necessary for you to tell me again.

I remember what you said. You spoke as violently as you did just now.

But it is my opinion that you should try every other means,

rather than take a step which is so painful to me... and so degrading to you!

And if I disregard your opinion as you do mine?

Oh, you may do so, of course! You may do so.

But I think you should have told me before we married that you'd place

me in the worst position

rather than give up your own will!

When we were married, everyone felt your position would be VERY high!

I could not have imagined then that you would like to sell our furniture!

Take a house where the rooms are like cages!

If we ARE to live in that way, let us at least LEAVE Middlemarch!

Indeed, if I didn't happen to be deep in debt!

Many people have had debts. If they are respectable, people trust them.

May I at least request that you will

not see Trumbull at present -

until it has been seen that there ARE no other means?!

Surely YOU should promise not to go behind my back?!

What a mess you have made!!

Ohhh!

I hate your stupid experiments!

I HATE them!

I...!

DOOR SLAMS

'There will be a first-class medical school in Middlemarch...

'I'll do good work for Middlemarch, and great work for the world...

'There is much I want to achieve...

'You see, I am ambitious...

'In five years' time, I might look for a wife, but you know my real passion...'